Memorial Day Weekend 2005

We stayed home on Memorial Day weekend and finally had an opportunity to work in the garden. As I grow older, I find that I enjoy working in the garden and admiring flowers. It's quite therapeutic and assuring to know that you are cultivating another life while beautifying your surroundings.

On Sunday, Michael, the kids and I took a drive down to Great Lakes Roses Nursery in Belleville. They specialise in growing roses. In fact, we were introduced to them at Eastern Market's Flower Day several weekends ago. We were very impressed with their knowledge of roses, and they sure did not disappoint! There were many beautiful roses from the old antiques to newer varieties.

We sat through a complimentary lecture about climbing roses and figured out that we were going to buy a William Baffin. This type of rose is a shrub that can be trained to climb.

We bought ten rose bushes including the William Baffin. We could not resist the 20% off if we bought ten or more. All of the rose bushes are really thriving in the front of the house 'cos of all the sun.

While I was waiting to pay for our rose bushes, Michael took the kids around the house and garden on the premises. The kids found some round yellow-green "fruits" that they called "me-bobs." Not sure why they called them that. But they reminded me of strawberries that have not ripened at all and were hollow inside. The kids had a pretty good time playing with them.


Anita at Great Lakes Roses (Belleville, MI).

Hoop Dreams (1994) Follow up DVD

I just found out that there will be a follow-up movie to the fantastic movie, Hoop Dreams, that followed the lives of two kids who try to become famous NBA stars. Great film... It really touched me the first time I saw it. You might have wondered what happened to William Gates and Arthur Agee. Read on in this Washington Post article. It's a very well-written and touching article. Looking forward to the sequel... might have to go to the library and check this one out again.


Hoop Dreams (1994) - A must see movie

The La's Reunion Tour 2005

I happened to do a search on Google to see if there were any good La's websites and ran across this:




I was completely gobsmacked. WOWOWOWOWOWWOWOW! I was so excited. So, the boys are back together somewhat it sounds. The La's were the other great band from Liverpool. (I think you know who I think the top band is! NOOOOO - not A Flock of Seagulls.) I don't know if I'd call Lee Mavers a genius, but the La's debut album is brilliant. You may have heard "There She Goes" in all of its incarnations -- most likely by the Nashville-based band, Sixpence None The Richer. Of course, The La's original provided two and half minutes of blissful pop.

A little known fact on my end: Many years ago, I sent off the cover of the album to their fanclub, and it was returned to me signed by all four members. If I have a chance, I will scan and add to this post. I never saw them live however. :O( A huge regret!

I'm glad to see whatever issues Lee and John Powers had in the past have been resolved. Now, if they'd only come over to do some gigs in Detroit ... Wishful thinking, I guess. I guess I'll have to get my La's fix at thelas.org and La'zarus site.

One last thing ... La's fans will remember this line: "Skin up yer bastards!" Yeah! :O)


I had a shirt exactly like this in high school! (I'm serious!)

39th Annual Flower Day @ Eastern Market

In prelude to the 39th Annual Flower Day at Eastern Market, we took a few photos of the kids in front of the house. They turned out really well!


Anita & Minnie in front of the daffodil bed at our house. Cute!


Another pic of Anita & Minnie in front of the daffodil bed at our house.

Sunday, May 15, 2005 | Flower Day!

This was our first time going to Flower Day which is held at Eastern Market in Detroit. According to the press, it's the largest single-day plant event in the world. Apparently, this event generates a $ 2 million revenue from selling plants and flowers alone. Check out some of the interesting photos we took along the way. BTW, I also have some cool video as well that I took with the digital camera. If you're interested, please let me know, and I'll send you the download link.


The bright pink blossoms of the Chenille Plant are so soft!


Apparently, Fox 2 News (Channel 2, Detroit) was also attracted to the smells of the grill!


Mmmmmm - very tempting.


Alpacas at Flower Day. Cute!!

Heather's 30th Birthday!

So, one day, I am working from home, and I get a phone call... It was from someone who I did not know, but they obtained my number from Robin. She was calling on behalf of someone who I hold close and dear to my heart. This someone, Heather (to be known as "Heather M"), called me to invite me to my dear friend, Heather's 30th birthday party. You have to understand that I have not seen Heather in two years! Loretta, Jody, Lisa and I practically grew up together and in Heather's house while we were going through high school together.

From Heather M's description, it sounded like it was going to be a blast. Heather's family was going to be there and a few old school friends. This was to be a surprise party, and boy -- was Heather surprised! :O) The party was held at her mother's house in Highland which is a lakefront property. The kids, Auntie Fai & Steve (Samantha's husband) went on a nice boat ride with Heather's mum driving.

Interestingly enough, Heather's mum drove while kneeling on the driver's seat. Also, I found out a bit later, that she just started learning to drive the boat two weeks ago. She is a VERY fast driver! Minnie was scared as we were crashing through the waves, but he started to really enjoy the ride when we were cruising through the windy watery path looking for animals. We saw a turtle, ducks and plenty of other birds. Yummers was sitting at the very front with Steve and asking him many questions.

All in all, a great time - it was so awesome to see Heather's family who I haven't seen in years! Everyone is doing well and happy. Heather looked so happy, and I really believe that it's partly due to her partner, Heather M. It was a privilege to be a part of this occasion. Enjoy some of the photos below.


Heather's Mum, her boat and Robin!


Heather, Jody, Loretta & Samantha.


Yummer and Auntie Fai.


Auntie Fai, Aunt Joan, Jamal and Uncle Robin playing a game of Euchre.


Heather looking cool as usual!


Minnie getting ready to give that pinata a good whacking!


Heather's delicious gelato cake.


The girls: Loretta, Heather, Jody and me!

Michael Levitates ala David Blaine

or so I thought... You might have heard of the Street Magician, David Blaine. Michael actually performed one of David Blaine's more infamous tricks which involves levitation (i.e. rising a few inches above ground).

After completing freaking me out, I invited the kids and Grandmother Anita to come and watch Michael levitate. After he impressed us again with this feat, I immediately did some investigation and found out that there is an applied method called the Balducci Levitation. This method conveys the impression of levitation when done right. Pretty impressive!